Investment in mental health therapies for children

The government has said it is now investing £32m in psychological therapies for children and young people with health problems.

Figures show that 10% of children aged 5-16 has a clinically diagnosable mental health problem, which means that at any one time more than a million children are affected.

Mental illness in childhood and adolescence costs up to £59,000 per child every year but ministers believes that giving children the right help early on can provide better chances of finding a job and reduce the likelihood of them ending up in prison.

Health Minister Paul Burstow said: “We’re working with young people and staff to start to change the way mental health is delivered by the NHS. This pioneering work will focus on early and effective treatment.

“We know psychological therapies work. Our aim is to transform existing mental health services for children so our children get the best treatment possible, from services that are more responsive to their needs.”

Earlier this year the government published its mental health strategy – No health without mental health, which takes a life course approach with a focus on early and effective intervention, alongside extending psychological therapies to young people.

The Royal College of Psychiatrists welcomed the announcement saying it will "make a real difference to improving the mental health and lives of children and young people".

Sarah Brennan, Chief Executive of YoungMinds, said: “We are facing challenging times for children and young people so we look forward to this initiative developing and growing so greater numbers can benefit in the future.”